Dual product outlet fitting

ABSTRACT

A dual product outlet fitting is provided which permits discharge of a first fluid and a second fluid without mixing through a shell cover.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a fitting for a fabricated faucet for dispensing two products. The fitting is particularly useful for dispensing filtered and non-filtered water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0002] According to the invention, a dual product outlet fitting comprising a unitary piece having a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet arranged with a passage from the first fluid inlet to a first fluid outlet, and a passage from the second fluid inlet to a second fluid outlet is provided. The first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet are each arranged at a different distance from an end of the fitting. The outlet for the first fluid can be of a different size than the outlet for the second fluid. The passage from the first fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet and the passage from the second fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet are separate, do not join and the two fluid streams remain separate and unmixed.

[0003] The fitting is particularly useful for dispensing raw water from one outlet and treated or filtered water from a second outlet. The flow of the two products is generally not simultaneous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is a left side isometric view of an embodiment of the dual product outlet fitting.

[0005]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the fitting of FIG. 1 with product inlet lines shown.

[0006]FIG. 3 is a view in section, in the direction of B-B of FIG. 2.

[0007]FIG. 4 is a view in section, in the direction of C-C of FIG. 2.

[0008]FIG. 5 is a view in section, in the direction of D-D of FIG. 2.

[0009]FIG. 6 is a view in section, in the direction of A-A of FIG. 2.

[0010]FIG. 7 is a end view of the fitting showing in the first and second inlet.

[0011]FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the fitting of the invention with the position of the outlets reversed.

[0012]FIG. 9 is an end view of the fitting of FIG. 8.

[0013]FIG. 10 is a view in section, in the direction of A-A, of FIG. 8.

[0014]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a fabricated spout having arranged therein the dual product outlet fitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] As used herein, the term “fabricated spout” refers to a fluid dispensing device comprising a shell cover with the components mounted within the shell cover.

[0016]FIG. 1 is an isometric representation of a dual product outlet fitting of the invention. The fitting 2 comprises a unitary body 3 having an inlet 4 for a first fluid and an inlet 6 for a second fluid. The outlet for the first fluid is encompassed by a rim 8 which can have threads to support a water aerator.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the dual product outlet fitting 2 shown in FIG. 1. The body 3 can be made from a metal, a ridged plastic or a composite material to accommodate the fluids which are to be dispensed by the dual product outlet fitting. FIG. 2 shows the fitting 2 connected to a first fluid inlet conduit 18 and a second fluid inlet conduit 20. The fluid conduits 18 and 20 can be connected to the body 3 of fitting 2 by mechanical means such as quick connect fittings or if the fitting is made of a metal, the inlet conduits can be brazed or soldered into the fitting 2. It is preferred that at least one inlet conduit be soldered or brazed to a metal fitting 2 so that the fitting can be supported without need for connection to the shell cover for support. The first fluid conduit 18 can be a metal pipe and can be brazed or soldered to the body 3 of fitting 2 at the inlet opening 4. The first fluid passes through conduit 18, inlet opening 4 and through an internal conduit 14 (FIG. 3) to first fluid outlet opening 10 having a rim 8. The rim 8 can contain threads for engaging an aerator fixture to control the flow pattern of the first fluid. The second fluid enters the body 3 of fitting 2 through opening 6 and conduit 20. The second fluid flows through passage 16 (FIG. 4) to outlet 12.

[0018] Outlet 12 can be a threaded outlet to accommodate a fitting to direct the flow of the second fluid. Alternately, outlet 12 can be configured to accept a press fitted or snap fitted device for directing the flow of the second fluid. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the outlet 12 can be configured in a manner to direct the flow of the second fluid.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 in the direction of arrows B-B. FIG. 3 shows first fluid inlet 4 connected to first fluid outlet 10 through conduit 14. Conduit 14 is within the body 3 of fitting 2.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, first fluid inlet 4 is arranged for accepting a conduit for the first fluid by soldering, brazing or in the case of a resin fitting by a cementation, melting or gluing method.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 2 in section in the direction of the arrows C-C. FIG. 4 shows body 3 of fitting 2, the second fluid inlet 6 and the passage 16 for flow of the second fluid between the second fluid inlet 6 and the second fluid outlet 12. The passage 16 permits flow of the second fluid from the second fluid inlet 6 to the second fluid outlet 12. FIG. 4 also shows the first fluid outlet 10 with the rim 8.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a view in section in the direction of arrows D-D of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows the axis of second fluid outlet 12 set at an angle to the center line of the fitting 2. The second fluid outlet 12 is preferably tilted at an angle from about 5 to about 25 degrees toward the discharge end of the fitting in relation to a horizontal plane through the center of the fitting. The tilting of the second fluid outlet opening 12 in relation to the fitting 2 permits the second fluid exiting the second fluid outlet opening 12 to be easily collected.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a view in section of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows A-A. FIG. 6 shows outlet opening 10 with the rim 8 which is threaded to accommodate an aerator nozzle.

[0024]FIG. 7 is an end view from the right of the fitting shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows fitting 2 having body 3 and first fluid inlet 4. The first fluid inlet 4 is configured to accommodate a first fluid inlet conduit which can be brazed to the fitting when the fitting is made of a metal such as brass.

[0025] Second fluid inlet 6 is shown in a configuration to accept a quick coupling fixture for a plastic tube. The quick coupling connects the plastic tube to the second fluid inlet 6 by mechanical means. The mechanical means can include an O-ring to prevent leakage of the second fluid from the second fluid inlet 6. The rim 8 of first fluid outlet 10 is also shown in FIG. 7.

[0026]FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 are directed to a dual product outlet fitting in which the outlet end for the first fluid is in a position furthest from the end of the fitting at which the first and second fluids enter the body of the fitting. However, the fitting can be arranged to permit the outlet for the second fluid to be at a position furthest from the inlets of the first and second fluids.

[0027] In FIGS. 8-10, the same numbers as used in FIGS. 1-7 are used to designate the same parts. FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of a dual product outlet fitting 2 having a body 3 with a first fluid inlet 4 and a second fluid inlet 6 (shown in dotted lines). The first fluid inlet 4 is connected to the first fluid outlet 10 through conduit 14. The second fluid inlet 6 is connected to the second fluid outlet 12 through conduit 16. Conduits 14 and 16 are shown in dotted lines. With the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, the second fluid is discharged through second fluid outlet 12 at a position further from the second fluid inlet 6 than the first fluid outlet 10.

[0028] Second fluid outlet 12 is preferably set at an angle in relation to a horizontal plane which passes through the center line of the fitting. As in the first embodiment, the second fluid outlet is preferably set at an angle between about 5 and about 25 degrees in relation to the horizontal plane which passes through the center line of the fitting.

[0029]FIG. 9 is an end view of the fitting of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows first fluid inlet 4 and second fluid inlet 6. The configuration of the first fluid outlet 10 is shown in dotted lines and the rim of the first fluid outlet 10 is shown as 8 in FIG. 9.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a view in section in the direction of A-A of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 shows first fluid conduit 14 in communication with first fluid outlet 10. FIG. 10 also shows conduit 16 passing by the first fluid outlet 10 to connect with the second fluid outlet 12 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0031]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a shell cover having mounted therein the dual product outlet fitting. The dual product outlet fitting is mounted in shell cover 22. The dual product outlet fitting is connected to second fluid inlet line 24 through second fluid inlet 6. The connection shown is a mechanical connection. The second fluid outlet 12 is shown having a flow directing outlet 20 attached thereto. The second fluid passes through opening 6, second fluid passage 16 to fluid outlet 12.

[0032] An aerator device 18 is shown attached to the first fluid outlet 10. The dual product outlet fitting is particularly useful for dispensing two different fluids from a shell cover. The fitting is particularly useful for dispensing filtered and unfiltered water from a shell cover without cross contamination between the filtered and the unfiltered water. The fitting permits use of a shell cover for dispensing filtered and unfiltered water without a complex arrangement and mounting problems. Preferably, the dual product outlet fitting is soldered or brazed to a permanently fixed metal inlet line which supports and sets the position of the fitting. When the first or second fluid inlet opening is brazed or soldered to a fixed metal conduit, the other fluid inlet conduit can be connected to the fitting by mechanical means since positive support is provided by the brazed or soldered connection to the fixed metal conduit. The dual product outlet fitting can be further supported and positioned by a support arranged in the shell cover or fabricated spout.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the dual product outlet fitting can be arranged to provide for discharge of the second fluid at a point more distant from the fluid inlet than the first fluid discharge point or vice versa. Preferably, the first and second fluid outlets are of different diameters. Preferably one fluid outlet is at least twice as large in cross-sectional are as the other fluid outlet and can be three or more times as large in cross-sectional area as the other fluid outlet. It is not critical to the invention that the two fluid outlets have centerlines which coincide with the centerline of the fitting or with each other. However, for aesthetic reasons, preferably the two outlets have centerlines, which coincide or which are parallel to each other separated by at most 50% of the diameter of the larger outlet and more preferably at most 25% of the diameter of the larger of the two outlets. The two fluid outlets may have centerlines which coincide with each other and with the centerline of the fixture. 

What is claimed:
 1. A dual product outlet fitting which comprises: a unitary piece having a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet arranged with a first fluid passage from the first fluid inlet to a first fluid outlet and a second fluid passage from the second fluid inlet to a second fluid outlet wherein the two fluid outlets are arranged at different distances from an end of the fitting, wherein there is no cross connection between the first and second fluid passages.
 2. The fitting in claim 1, wherein the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet each has a centerline in relation to the centerline of the fitting different from each other.
 3. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet share the same centerline in relation to the centerline of the fitting.
 4. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet are of a different size.
 5. The fitting of claim 4, wherein one of the two fluid outlets is at least twice as large in cross-sectional area as the other fluid outlet.
 6. The fitting of claim 1, fabricated of a metal.
 7. The fitting of claim 1, fabricated of a synthetic resin.
 8. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the second fluid outlet is arranged at an angle toward the end of the spout in relation to a horizontal plane through the centerline of the spout. 